Remember Libertyland

  Remember Libertyland was launched on June 26th, 2006, around the time that parts of Libertyland were being auctioned off. Since then, I’ve been dedicated to documenting not only the park’s history, but what happens to what’s left of Libertyland in the future.

Join the cause at Remember Libertyland

AIA Memphis

AIA Memphis

Established in 1953, AIA Memphis has served West Tennessee as the local chapter of The American Institute of Architects (AIA) headquartered in Memphis. Members of AIA from across the globe have worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes. Our local voices join more than 85,000 architects and allied professionals who work together to create a better future by design. Our mission is to promote architecture and the profession; advocate for livable and sustainable communities; and serve as a resource for our members.

Shape Memphis with AIA Memphis

Westy's

Located in the heart of The Pinch district, Westy's is home to one of the most famous delicacies in town: The Hot Fudge Pie.

Jake Schorr, co-owner of Westy's, invented the dessert back in the early 70's at another restaurant he owned at the time, Jefferson Square. It was a big hit, and he carried the recipe with him on to his next restaurant The North End - a place I went to many, many times - just for the pie. And now it's available at Westy's.

Fill your plate at Westy's

Enjoy the peace and tranquility of years gone by, in our beautifully handcrafted carriages. Open year-round, we are available for shuttle service, tours and special occasions. Our tours are filled with interesting facts about Memphis history and our drivers want to make your ride extra special. Located in historic downtown Memphis Tennessee. Carriages are stationed in front of the Famous Peabody Hotel on Union Ave. We are also stationed at the corners of Second and Beale and Third and Beale. We can pick you up from your favorite restaurant or hotel.

Horse around with the Carriage Company of Memphis

The RDC's purpose is to plan, promote and coordinate the development and operation of amenities that will enhance the attractiveness, accessibility and economic value of the Memphis waterfront. Its purposes also include the development of public/private partnerships designed to implement the goals set forth in a Master Plan. Under contract with the City of Memphis, the Corporation will be responsible for planning, operating, and enhancing the riverfront parks, Mud Island River Park and the Promenade. They envision a  world class waterfront destination rooted in the unique history and character of Memphis that showcases the Mississippi River’s power and majesty and binds us together as a community.

View the vision at the Riverfront Development Corporation

The Mississippi River park located on Mud Island includes bike trails, pedal boats, and rafts, as well as a hydraulic scale model of the lower Mississippi River from Cairo, Illinois to New Orleans. Major cities and small towns located on the river are marked in the scale model, and markers explain history and facts about the river. The model empties into a "Gulf of Mexico" replica which was once a waterpark named Bud Boogie Beach, and on the other side is a small wooden boat named the Maymay which is no longer open to the public.
The Mississippi River Museum on Mud Island presents the history of the lower Mississippi river valley, with great emphasis on the steamboat, complete with a full-scale replica steamboat.
Mud Island is also home to a 5,000 seat outdoor amphitheater which has been used for a summer concert series for over two decades. The band Dash Rip Rock, which has played there several times, recorded a song named Mud Island that can be found on two of their albums. James Taylor, performing in the amphitheater during a light rainstorm in 1992, stuck his arm out into the falling water and remarked, "Mud Island... ominous name, eh?"

Walk the Mississippi River at Mud Island River Park

Books and Resources

Memphis History is fascinating and below is a list of the books that I would recommend. The books about Memphis that I like the most are probably best found at Burke's Book Store, The Bookseller at Laurelwood or in the Hooks Library, 4th floor:

Metropolis of the American Nile by Dr. John Harkins
Historic Shelby County by dr. John Harkins
Yesterday's Memphis by Dr. Charles Crawford
Memphis In The Twenties by Robert Lanier
Memphis During The Progressive Era by William Miller
Past Times by Perre Magness
Elmwood by Perre Magness
Good Abode by Perre Magness
Memphis Medicine by Patricia LaPointe McFarland & Mary Ellen Pitts
A Pictorial History of Memphis by Kitty Plunkett
Notable Black Memphians by Miriam Decosta-Willis
Memphis Down In Dixie by Shields Mcilwaine
Nineteenth Century Memphis Families of Color by Roberta Church & Ronald Walter
Memphis and the Paradox of Place by Wanda Rushing
From Cotton Row to Beale Street by Robert Sigafoos
A Guide To Historic Downtown Memphis by William Patton
Bluff City Barristers by John Thomason
Biography of a River Town by Gerald Capers
At The River I Stand by Joan Beifuss
On This Day in Memphis History by Wayne Dowdy

There are six books by Paul Coppock that are from his newspaper columns (mostly):
Memphis Sketches
Memphis Memories
Paul Coppock's Mid-South - Vol. 1, 2,3 & 4

Four Mississippi River related books are:
The Sultana Tragedy by Jerry Potter
The Rising Tide by John Barry
A Century on the Mississippi (History of Corps of Engineers) by Dr. Floyd Clay
It Happened on the Mississippi River by James Crutchfield

There are also a ton of small "themed" (mainly photo) books about various Memphis topics like Music, Beale Street Cotton, Theatres, Bartlett, Cordova, Peabody Hotel, Overton Park, etc. by Images of America or Arcadia.